Don’t let abusers own firearms

The U.S. Senate made history recently when it held a hearing, for the first time, on the links between domestic violence and gun violence. Senators heard from police officers and family members of victims of domestic violence regarding the impact of guns on victims of abusive relationships.

Statistics are grim: More than half of people murdered by their domestic partners in the United States were killed by a gun. The current law does not protect women who aren’t married to their abusers, or women who are victims of stalkers. Abusers and stalkers can easily buy or own a gun.

Women need protection from abusers and stalkers. Understand the relationship between women, and abusers, stalkers and guns. Support is needed for a bill in Congress that would protect women by preventing abusers and stalkers from having guns.

Anna M. Alden
Manoa

Wage increases lead to inflation

The minimum wage increase will cause an increase in all wages. For employers to pay for the increase in wages, the price for products, services and rent will increase commensurately.

In about 31/2 years, $10.10 will become the new $7.25 minimum wage, an increase of nearly 40 percent. In the long run, the buying power of $10.10 will remain the buying power of a minimum wage because prices will rise. We will pay more tomorrow for the same item that we bought for less today. Inflation it certainly is.

For those who are actively working, maybe inflation is not a big deal, so long as pay increases keep coming. But people on fixed incomes, that is, retirees and me, need to anticipate how to deal with less buying power and accept the fact that we will not be able to do or have certain things because the prices will be too high.

Fixed-income voters: Remember the politicians who boast about raising the minimum wage; they are the root cause of this inflation.

Chauncey Hew
Manoa

Makeup election held too early

My worst fears were realized when the makeup primary elections in Puna were held on Friday, Statehood Day, prior to electricity being restored to its residents. The percentage of eligible people voting was abysmal. As a former social studies teacher and retired educator, I am appalled that this was the decision made by the elections office and others in the administration responsible for this makeup date.

Joanne Swearingen
St. Louis Heights

Muslims must find own peace

In the Mideast we are not supporting or opposing Iraq, Iran, Syria or Afghanistan. In each country we are supporting or opposing Sunni or Shia.

They hate/distrust each other, and they all hate us because of our attitudes and actions in their world. When we attack one Muslim, we attack them all worldwide.

It is hard for us living in a secular society to understand a religious government. We are not learning and that is why we are failing.

This 1,000-year-old Muslim feud will never end until Muslims themselves can find a way to live with each other peacefully. Everyone thought that killing Osama bin Laden would end it all. Surprise, surprise.

We are going back to where we were 15 years ago. Expect another 9/11 attack.

Fred Metcalf
Kalihi

No justice in Deedy verdict

What would have happened if Kollin Elderts had been black and Hawaii residents had demonstrated and rioted like in Ferguson, Mo.? Has the U.S. State Department and President Barack Obama verified that State Department agents can carry a loaded firearm, go drinking with friends, then shoot and kill an unarmed person?

Where is the justice?

Bernie Chu
Hawaii Kai